Safety News

Skyline Queenstown Project – A Precision Solution in a High-Profile Environment

Thu, 07 May 2026 01:31:29 GMT

The Challenge

The brief was straightforward on the surface, but technically demanding:

Prevent items (particularly mobile phones) from falling from the viewing platform
Maintain the premium visitor experience — no bulky or visually intrusive barriers
Ensure performance in an exposed, high-wind alpine environment
Deliver a system that is robust, discreet, and fit-for-purpose

This wasn’t just about installing a net — it was about designing a system that people wouldn’t notice, but could rely on.

The Solution

We designed and installed a custom-engineered net shelf system, tailored specifically for the site:

A 700mm wide net shelf , angled back toward the structure to control impact and rebound
High-tenacity polypropylene (HTPP) knotless netting , selected for strength, durability, and minimal visual impact
A black cable and fixing system , carefully chosen to blend into the surrounding structure
Precision-installed catenary cables and tensioning systems to manage deflection and performance

The result is a system that is barely noticeable to visitors — but highly effective in practice.

Real-World Testing (Not Just Theory)

One of the key differentiators on this project was our approach to testing.

Rather than relying purely on design assumptions, we carried out extensive physical drop testing at our test rig that was built at our yard in Auckland, specifically to replicate site conditions, comparing how different objects behaved on impact:

Mobile phones (the primary risk item)
Bottles and other loose objects
Various tension scenarios

This allowed us to fine-tune the system, particularly around impact absorption and rebound control — ensuring items are safely contained rather than bouncing back into public areas.

The Outcome

The finished system delivers exactly what was required:

✔ Discreet, low-visibility installation
✔ Effective containment of dropped objects
✔ Designed for harsh environmental conditions
✔ Minimal impact on the visitor experience

Most importantly, it provides peace of mind — for both the client and the thousands of visitors who use the platform every day.

Why This Matters

This project highlights something we see time and again:

The best safety systems are the ones you don’t notice — but can absolutely rely on.

At Safety Nets NZ, we don’t just install systems — we engineer solutions that are tested, refined, and built to perform in the real world.

Thinking About a Similar Challenge?

If you’ve got a project where safety, aesthetics, and performance all need to align — whether it’s a public space, commercial site, or specialist application — we’re happy to talk through options.

Because as this project shows, the right solution is rarely off-the-shelf — but it is achievable.

May
07 2026

When you're working at one of New Zealand's most iconic tourist destinations, there's no room for compromise. Our recent project at Skyline Queenstown is a great example of how thoughtful engineering, practical testing, and real-world experience come together to deliver a solution that works — without detracting from the environment it sits in.

Safety Nets NZ Completes Specialised Netting Installation for Helicopter landing pad

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 19:19:46 GMT

At Safety Nets NZ, we pride ourselves on being New Zealand’s most experienced and trusted safety netting provider. Our latest project at Ohakea Airbase for the NZ Defence Force highlights not only the scale of our expertise but also the flexibility of what we can deliver.

Protecting helicopter operations

The NZ Defence Force required a specialised safety solution for the helicopter landing pad at Ohakea. The project called for the installation of safety nets around elevated walkways and access structures to provide maximum protection for personnel and equipment in a high-risk environment.

Using our engineered netting systems , we were able to design and install a tailored solution that integrates seamlessly with the surrounding steel framework and access platforms. The nets provide an additional layer of fall protection while ensuring the structure remains fully functional for day-to-day operations.

Showcasing flexibility and expertise

While the majority of our work involves fall protection for construction and industrial projects, this installation demonstrates how our systems can be adapted to suit specialised environments such as defence facilities, sports complexes, schools, and commercial properties.

From helicopter landing pads to gymnasium ceiling protection, Safety Nets NZ has the resources, experience, and innovation to deliver safe, reliable, and fully certified systems across a wide range of industries.

Why safety nets NZ?

Oldest and largest provider in NZ with unmatched experience
Certified, tested, and fully compliant with industry standards
Tailored solutions for unique project requirements
Backed by a dedicated and highly skilled installation team

This project for the NZ Defence Force is yet another example of how we are helping clients achieve safe, practical, and cost-effective outcomes on complex projects.

Infinity Pool Edge Safety Netting

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 19:56:46 GMT

Infinity pool edge safety netting – a smarter alternative to glass balustrades

Infinity pools are designed to be visually stunning, merging water seamlessly with the horizon. But one of the biggest challenges for homeowners, architects, and pool builders is how to protect against falls from the edge without spoiling the effect with glass balustrades or fencing.

At Safety Nets NZ, we’ve developed a unique and fully compliant infinity pool fall-protection system using specialist safety netting. This innovative solution provides discreet edge protection, meaning you no longer need bulky balustrades or pool fencing that can block views and disrupt the design.

Why choose our infinity pool fall-protection system?

Unobstructed views – preserve the true infinity-edge design.
Certified safety – our pool edge nets are tensioned and tested to New Zealand and international safety standards.
Cost-effective alternative – avoid expensive glass balustrades or steel framing.
Architecturally sympathetic – blends seamlessly into the pool environment.
Trusted expertise – designed and installed by NZ’s leading safety net provider.

How it works

Our system uses engineered safety nets for infinity pools that are installed along the pool edge to prevent falls from height. The nets are discreet, durable, and designed for long-term performance in outdoor environments. Unlike traditional balustrades, they don’t compromise the architectural vision.

The Safety Nets NZ difference

As New Zealand’s most experienced provider of fall-arrest and protective netting, Safety Nets NZ has built a reputation for innovation, compliance, and reliability. Our infinity pool edge protection is the latest example of how we deliver safety solutions that also respect design aesthetics.

With Safety Nets NZ, you don’t have to choose between safety and style – our infinity pool safety netting gives you both.

Supporting Future Tradies

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 21:21:56 GMT

Safety Nets NZ donates to pukekohe high school

As part of our ongoing commitment to giving back to the community, Safety Nets NZ was proud to support the next generation of tradespeople by supplying and installing safety nets, free of charge, for a student construction project at Pukekohe High School.

The safety nets were installed to protect students enrolled in the school's Building Trades Course while they constructed a small building as part of their practical learning programme. By ensuring a safe working environment, we’ve helped students focus on learning the skills of the trade with confidence and care.

At Safety Nets NZ, we believe in building not just safer work sites, but stronger communities. We’re proud to support hands-on education initiatives that help shape the skilled workforce of tomorrow.

Why nets are better than harnesses

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 21:12:31 GMT

Safety Nets are the smarter, faster choice for roofing work

When it comes to fall protection in roofing, the conversation is often dominated by harnesses and static lines. While these systems have their place, more and more contractors are realising that safety nets offer a safer, faster, and more efficient alternative, especially for larger-scale or time-sensitive roofing jobs.

Here’s why safety nets make sense:

1. Improved efficiency on site

Harness systems require workers to constantly clip and unclip from the static line as they move along the roof. This not only slows progress but also creates opportunities for error, particularly when workers forget to reattach themselves or become frustrated by the restriction.

With safety nets, there’s no need to interrupt workflow. Workers can move freely across the roof, maintain momentum, and complete the job faster without compromising on safety.

2. No risk of harness trauma

One of the lesser-known risks of harness systems is suspension trauma, a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur when a person remains hanging in a harness after a fall. Safety nets eliminate this risk by providing a collective fall protection system that stops the fall at a much lower height, allowing the person to land gently in the net rather than hang suspended.

3. Better coverage, less reliance on worker behaviour

Safety nets don’t rely on workers remembering to hook on. Once installed, they provide passive fall protection to everyone working above them, without requiring individual action. This reduces the potential for human error and gives supervisors peace of mind that the entire team is protected at all times.

4. Ideal for commercial projects

Whether it’s a new build or a re-roof, safety nets are versatile and quick to install. They’re particularly suited to large open-roof commercial projects, where multiple workers need to move freely and get the job done efficiently.

Conclusion

While harnesses and static lines may still be appropriate in some situations, safety nets offer a modern, proactive approach to fall protection that puts speed, safety, and simplicity at the forefront. At Safety Nets NZ, we’ve seen firsthand how switching to nets can reduce downtime, improve site morale, and get your project over the line faster, safely.

Want to know more about how safety nets could benefit your next project? Contact us today for a site assessment or quote.

Ceiling & Sprinkler Protection System

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 03:04:42 GMT

Introducing our new ceiling & sprinkler protection system for school gymnasiums

At Safety Nets NZ Limited, we’re proud to be at the forefront of innovative safety solutions — and our latest offering is no exception.

We’re excited to introduce our Protective Netting System, purpose-built to protect ceilings, lighting, and sprinkler systems in school gymnasiums and indoor sports facilities. Designed with durability, discretion, and safety in mind, this system offers an effective way to reduce costly damage from balls or other sports equipment — while maintaining the open, functional feel of gym space.

Why Schools Are Choosing This System

In recent years, we’ve seen a growing demand from schools and recreational facilities for a reliable way to protect overhead infrastructure from damage. Whether it’s broken lights, bent sprinkler heads, or worse, false activations or costly ceiling repairs, these issues are not only expensive — they can also disrupt school operations.

Our netting system solves this problem with a clean, engineered solution that:

Catches stray balls before they hit the ceiling
Shield sensitive sprinkler systems from impact
Protects lighting and other fixtures from breakage
Reduces maintenance costs and extends the life of building infrastructure
Custom-Designed for Every Space

We know that no two gymnasiums are alike — that’s why every installation is fully customised to the dimensions and features of any facility. Our experienced team handles everything from design to installation, ensuring a professional fit that doesn’t interfere with sports or physical education programs.

Built to Last

We use high-strength, flame-retardant netting, professionally tensioned and installed to meet New Zealand building safety standards. The netting can be installed in a variety of colours, and we can install the system such that the nets are virtually invisible from the floor but tough enough to take the hits day in and day out.

For more information on this latest service offering from Safety Nets NZ Limited, please contact me at any time to discuss.

Until next time, Craig

Driving Range Netting Solutions

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 03:12:29 GMT

When we think about netting solutions associated with golf driving ranges, the tendency is to assume that we are talking about the netting that runs along the sides and end of the range to contain the golf shots that might have excessive “fade” or “draw”.

We have recently been asked to provide a different solution for two new golf driving ranges being built in the Bay of Plenty. The approach was made following our successful establishment of a similar system at Remuera Golf Club a few years ago.

At Remuera, the club was building a two-level driving range and needed a fall protection solution for golfers who utilised the upper level.

The team at Safety Nets NZ, in conjunction with local structural engineers, developed a design that solved the problem for our clients while providing an aesthetically pleasing and functional solution. We manufactured and installed the outrigger system shown in the photographs, together with the net system, comprising fall arrest nets with 45mm mesh (rather than the usual 100mm mesh ) to suit the exact requirements of our client.

The system has proven to be so successful that we have now been asked to install a similar solution at both Mount Maunganui and Omanu Golf Clubs in the Bay of Plenty.

The system developed once again shows the flexibility that safety nets offer in regard to providing professional and cost-effective fall protection solutions.

Until next time
Craig

Badminton Courts, Asbestos Roof Replacement

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 03:16:36 GMT

This week we installed our 3-layer fall protection and debris containment system in a facility in Auckland City.

The system, comprising fall arrest nets overlain with fine-grade debris mesh and then a layer of heavy-duty plastic, was installed in a day to enable the courts to be used by members that evening.

By installing the 3-layer net system, the centre is able to remain operational throughout the period of roof replacement, and not have to shut down whilst these potentially disruptive works are undertaken.

We continue to find that increasing numbers of clients see the benefit of the system we can provide, by ensuring that their work practices can continue unaffected whilst their roofs are replaced.

If you are contemplating replacing your old roof, and want to minimise disruption to your business, then just give us a call.

Until next time

Craig Daly

CBD Fan Netting

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 00:49:15 GMT

The team at Safety Nets NZ recently had the pleasure of working with the guys from South Pacific Scaffolding to establish a fan netting system around the upper floors of an apartment building in the CBD.

The project was highly technical and required considerable expertise by all concerned, and reinforced to us what can achieved by forging a collaborative and professional relationship with like-minded people.

Great effort by all involved !!!

Showing up for your team

Fri, 03 May 2024 00:52:17 GMT

As all of those involved in the construction industry knows, at the moment times are tough and the long promised “economic upturn” seems to be just as far away as ever.

As company leaders look to manage the corporate ship through particularly stormy waters, it is important that staff and the workforce aren’t left behind during difficult times.

I recently came across an article that I had saved from Industrial Safety News from late last year which is still very pertinent today, and worth sharing I feel.

SHOWING UP FOR YOUR TEAM IN A RECESSION

Recessions pose challenges for both businesses and employees. They also provide an opportunity for employers to really “show up” for their team, but what does “showing up” for your team through a recession actually look like?

1. Maintaining open communication:
When times are tough, your team will know about it. Your demeanour as an employer or manager is sure to have an impact on your team. Your first instinct might be to protect your staff by keeping business problems to yourself. We think a better approach is being open with your communication through the recession, ensuring the team know what kind of impact it’s having on the business. This is a better approach than letting whispers and rumours dictate what your team is hearing! It also means your team will be able to rally around the business and make efforts to keep things moving in the right direction.

2. Foster a positive environment:
Recessions can put real pressure on families and have a big impact on your team’s home lives. Creating a supportive work atmosphere gives your team a place to “escape” some of the stress they may be experiencing at home. You can create a positive environment when you encourage teamwork, recognise achievements and provide regular feedback.

3. Make sure your team has their creature comforts:
It may not seem like a big deal for you to make sure the kitchen is stocked with your team’s favourite coffee brand but when your team is in a financial squeeze, they may not be able to splurge on their usual creature comforts at home. Doing something as simple as this shows that you care.

4. Provide training and development:
If you can afford it, try to continue training and development for your team. Some sensible spending in this area gives the sense that you value your staff and will continue investing in them, even when times are tough. It also means that your business will reap the benefits of a team that is growing its knowledge and skills.

5. Recognise and reward contributions:
It’s going to be more important than ever to acknowledge hard work and dedication. Celebrate milestones, commend exceptional performance and publicly recognise contributions. When it comes to employee benefits, you may want to consider changing up the perks you’re offering so that they’re geared towards supporting your team with the rising cost of living. Perhaps instead of taking the team out for lunch, you could sign your team up to a delivery service for a box of fresh produce instead.

6. Support mental health and well-being:
Create a safe space for employees to discuss mental well-being. It’s likely that the recession will impact your team in more ways than just financially. An Employment Assistance Programme (EAP) is an awesome resource to provide your team but make sure you remind them to actually use it as some people will hesitate to make use of the service. Promote work-life balance and ensure your team knows that sick days are for mental wellbeing as well as physical health.

Recessions are hard but if you genuinely show up for your team in these ways, you can come out stronger as a business. Your actions over this time could solidify your team’s commitment. After all, when you show loyalty to your staff, you get loyalty in return.

Until next time.

Craig

Another Innovative Net Solution

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 01:00:23 GMT

Just before Xmas we were approached by the manager of a Spotlight Fabrics store who had an issue with the old building paper that had been installed under the roof sheets deteriorating and flaking such that small pieces of paper were falling onto stock/customers throughout the store.

We were asked if we could come up with a solution, as replacement of the building paper would require roof removal which was obviously something that would have caused significant disruption to the store’s operations in the run up to Christmas, as well as being massively expensive for the building owner.

We sourced white, fine grade mesh netting which we had manufactured overseas to suit the specific purlin spacing of the roof structure, the mesh netting being installed in such a manner that means it will catch any paper that falls, which can then be removed at a time to suit store operations.

The works were undertaken overnight so there was no impact on store activities, and the store manager is delighted with the result achieved, as is the landlord who has had the problem solved in aesthetically pleasing, efficient and cost effective manner.

Although obviously not a fall protection system, the solution shows once again the flexibility of the team at Safety Nets NZ in identifying innovative solutions to client problems.

New Services from Safety Nets NZ Limited

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 01:05:32 GMT

The team at Safety Nets NZ Limited is always looking to provide new services to compliment our fall arrest systems . You may well have used our 2, 3 and 4 layer fall arrest and protection systems on one of your projects in the past, over 100 satisfied clients throughout the country have, and we are now pleased to announce that we have added two new products/services to our stable.

STAIRWELL PROTECTION SYSTEM

Please click on this link to be taken to the appropriate page on the website that will introduce you to this remarkable and increasingly popular access and platform system specifically for stairwells.

The StairSpan stairwell protection system prevents falls into stairwells, voids, and down stairways - it also provides a sound working platform or landing, to increase productivity when working at height.

The system is easy to use and can be installed in a matter of minutes, it’s flexible design means that it doesn’t block access to the stairs, allowing work to continue around it.

Provides a temporary work platform and fall prevention system to prevent falls into stairways
Protects the health and safety of your workers as well as increasing productivity and efficiency
Allows you to adjust and position the platform to fit your job’s need
Fully tested and compliant for NZ Residential and Commercial applications.

G-DECK SYSTEMS

The G-DECK STANDARD load deck system is a patented 3 in 1 multi-functional high strength low cost trestle/access platform/tower which is quick to erect, durable and flexible enough to meet your site access needs. Safety is a priority and G-DECK has been subjected to stringent testing and analysis to prove its load carrying capabilities. Both proven on house building and construction sites G-DECK STANDARD is the system of choice for the working platform market.

The system provides an integrated working platform with handrail option; this can be erected at a range of heights from 0.8m up to 5m. The deck has been shown to accommodate imposed loads up to 6kN/ m2 or 600 Kg/ m2 which provides for a wide range of uses on site.

G-DECK STANDARD is the only system in the market that has been drop tested, G-DECK withheld a drop from 3m with 150kg.

G-Deck has been assessed in accordance with the requirements of BS EN 12811-1:2003 and BS EN 13374:2013, and materials used throughout the system comply with the requirements of BS EN 12811-2:2004. G-Deck has passed a rigorous physical testing regime specified by independent engineers and undertaken at a UKAS accredited laboratory.

Give Cameron a call on 021 782 710 to discuss how you can take advantage of these exciting new services and improve efficiencies on your construction sites, whilst at all times ensuring the safety of your workforce as they work at height.

Worksafe fines companies for “Cavalier Attitude“

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 01:38:25 GMT

Worksafe NZ released a news bulletin earlier this year which outlined steps it had taken to prosecute two companies that failed to plan and implement safety measures to protect its workers working at height.

The following extract from the bulletin serves to remind us of the need for all involved in the construction sector to be proactive, responsible and unrelenting in pursuit of the provision of safe working places for all of our teams.

This life changing accident could have easily been prevented with minimum cost and effort on behalf of the companies involved.

Two construction companies have been held accountable for a cavalier attitude toward keeping people safe when working at height.

The lack of planning and implementation of safety measures from both companies left a builder with life-changing injuries after they fell three metres from an unguarded second floor void on a construction site in September 2020, including a broken spine causing paralysis. The victim can no longer work as a builder as a result of their injuries and now requires a wheelchair to move.

The employer, Chunda Limited, and the property developer, JMK Homes Limited, were sentenced at the North Shore District Court in March with a final decision on fine amounts and reparations delivered on 28 April.

“The injuries the victim suffered were entirely preventable if controls, including edge protection had been in place to address the risks of a fall from height. They are inexpensive, easy to obtain, and easy to set up,” says WorkSafe’s area investigation manager, Danielle Henry.

“This was demonstrated in the immediate aftermath of the incident when edge protection was installed by workers using construction materials available on site. It was confirmed to WorkSafe this only happened after the incident. This is an indictment on the business and further underlines how avoidable this injury was.”

Chunda Limited had a worrying history around protecting its workers, and WorkSafe had taken a number of enforcement actions against the company since 2017 to influence the company to do better. This included seven prohibition notices, two sustained compliance letters, one directive letter, and two improvement notices.

“WorkSafe had a number of interactions with Chunda Limited, and they were on notice to up their game and keep workers safe. This included providing them with guidance and information related to risk management. This is why this incident is, in our eyes, unforgiveable and inexcusable given the track record,” says Danielle Henry.

Chunda Limited and JMK Homes Limited were both sentenced at the North Shore District Court on 9 March 2023, with the final decision delivered on 28 April 2023.

A fine of $258,918.92 was imposed and reparations of $61,464.20 were ordered for Chunda Limited and a fine of $175,000 was imposed for JMK Homes Limited, and reparations of $46,386.20 ordered.

Both companies were charged under sections 36(1)(a) and 48(1) and (2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

Being a PCBU, having a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers who work for the PCBU while the workers are at work in the business or undertaking, including while undertaking construction work did fail to comply with that duty, and that failure exposed workers to a risk of death or serious injury caused by falling from height.

The maximum penalty is a fine not exceeding $1.5 million.

The obvious disregard for the safety of the company’s workforce, and the apparent refusal to improve its performance despite repeated interventions by WorkSafe, show that there are still companies out there operating that do not seem to pay any attention to their responsibilities under the H&S Act 2015.

Proud to be involved with Te Pae Christchurch

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 01:45:39 GMT

Following is extract from an article published by Stephanie Fill, Marketing Manager of Roofing Association of New Zealand (RANZ), of which Safety Nets NZ Limited is a proud blue ribbon sponsor.

We worked every closely with all of the site based management teams to ensure that they could carry out their works safe in the knowledge that the Safety Nets NZ Limited certified fall protection systems were in place .

RANZ COMMERCIAL ROOF OF THE YEAR 2022

TE PAE CHRISTCHURCH

Te Pae Christchurch, the Garden City’s impressive new convention centre, has risen from the rubble of its predecessor. For Graham Hill Roofing, its roof presented an immense challenge and an opportunity to showcase their skills and experience.

Many non-Cantabrians look to the region’s folk with admiration, awe and respect for their resilience in surviving the catastrophic 2011 earthquakes. For the most part, though, Cantabrians seem eager to move the conversation on and look to their future. RANZ members have made significant contributions to the roofing rebuild efforts.

For the future of Canterbury, perhaps one of the most significant is Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre – a new, state-of-the-art facility that will serve not only the region but the whole of the country. Te Pae Christchurch replaces the original Christchurch Convention Centre, demolished in 2012, having been irreparably damaged in the earthquakes. And as if the rebuild itself wasn’t enough to grapple with, along came COVID-19. It was initially scheduled to take 1.5 years to install the roofing and related systems, a year into the roofing project, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. This saw the complexities of the project mount and the timeline blow out to three years. But, as of the start of 2022, the centre is now open for business. Te Pae Christchurch is estimated to bring in $60 million a year for the region. With an investment of $450 million, the return outlook so far seems promising with a busy events schedule booked for 2022 – including hosting this year’s RANZ Conference in June.

The finished product is impressive, perhaps looking more like a giant sculpture than a building. Inspired by the rivers of the Canterbury Plains with patterns and colours in the tradition of Ngāi Tahu, the design was co-created by architects Woods Bagot and Warren & Mahoney, with close consultation with Matapopore Charitable Trust.

Health and Safety

During the project’s three years, there was only one injury, occurring while safety procedures were correctly adhered to. One guy reached down to get something that had fallen into the safety nets and popped his shoulder out. The onsite crane could easily reach him with the rescue cage, and he was back at work the following week.

As expected, head contractors CPB had strict safety requirements in place. The GHR team weren’t allowed to get on any roof until both edge-protection was around the perimeter and drop nets from Safety Nets NZ were all in place. Where the scaffold couldn’t reach, a man-cage off the crane while being harnessed on was required, coupled with a drop-net system in place also.

Debris Containment and Fall Protection System

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 01:49:34 GMT

REPLACING YOUR ROOF BUT DON’T WANT TO IMPACT TRADING ACTIVITIES ? – NO PROBLEM WITH OUR BESPOKE DEBRIS CONTAINMENT AND FALL PROTECTION SYSTEM.

Recent months has seen significant enquiry in regard to the opportunities afforded to clients by our 3 layer protection system.

Comprising fall protection nets overlain with debris netting and heavy duty plastic sheeting, the system has been deployed on projects totalling over 30,000 sq.m. in the last 6 months.

Major national names including Spotlight, The Warehouse etc… have recognised the advantages that the system offers when they are looking to replace/repair their roofs. The system ensures that all dust and debris is captured so stock/merchandise it’s largely uncontaminated. We have developed our system to ensure the ongoing compliance and serviceability of fire protection systems, security systems, lighting etc… are maintained whilst works are undertaken.

We regularly install the system outside of normal business hours i.e. overnight to enable our clients trading operations to be un affected by the installation of the debris net and containment system.

HOW DOES DEBRIS CONTAINMENT WORK?

Debris containment is achieved in combination with a fall protection solution. A debris netting liner and/or a layer of heavy duty polythene overlay the personnel safety net to provide a 3-layer protective system. The debris liner helps to catch small falling objects such as tools or demolition materials that might fall through the spaces between the weaving of the safety nets.

The plastic sheeting also stops dust and rain water penetrating the building envelope whilst works are undertaken. The personnel safety netting provides the strength to stop falling heavy objects or personnel. Where asbestos fibres are suspected of being present, an additional layer of heavy duty plastic is used in conjunction with the three-layer system described above to enable the asbestos contaminated materials to be collected and disposed of in a safe and compliant manner.

We have successfully used this system on numerous projects throughout the country, saving our clients hundreds of thousands of dollars by enabling the roof to be replaced with NO PRODUCTION/TRADING DOWNTIME – THEIR WORK PROCESSES CAN CONTINUE UNAFFECTED AS THE ROOF IS REPLACED .

Once again Safety Nets NZ leads the way in seeking innovative new uses of safety net fall protection systems on construction sites throughout the country, so if you need any help with your upcoming project, just contact me on craig@safetynetsnz.co.nz or (021) 782 583 at any time to see how we can be of assistance.

Health & Safety Work Reform

Tue, 10 May 2022 01:54:31 GMT

INCOMING HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK REFORM – GET READY FOR A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER!

Last year the Government announced changes to a range of outdated, complex and incomplete health and safety requirements. New health and safety regulations are to be developed that will provide more clarity and certainty for businesses and better safety and health for workers.

These proposed changes will impact all aspects of the construction industry, but with particular focus on the risks associated with working at height and the need to ensure the use of fully compliant fall arrest systems, fall arrest safety equipment and fall protection measures , the team at Safety Nets NZ is ensuring that we are up to speed with latest developments.

From 2008 to 2019, on average 54 people a year died at work from injuries involving plant (e.g. machines, vehicles and equipment) and structures (e.g. scaffolding and excavations). That’s three-quarters of all work-related injury deaths. New Zealand’s work-related acute fatalities are high by international standards, approximately twice that of Australia and four times the rate of the United Kingdom.

During the public consultation, many stakeholders supported changing the regulations that apply to plant and structures and wanted greater clarity and certainty. The changes have been designed to ensure the rules are clear, effective, flexible, durable and proportionate, making it easier for businesses to manage risks, and better ensure people come home from work safe and healthy.

The changes will create better regulations and release business from the burden of not being clear of what’s required of them.

The Government will release a draft of the new plant and structures regulations this year and people will have the chance to comment on how the changes are best implemented during that process.

Plant and structures are everywhere – they are used in a wide range sectors and for many different purposes at work. They are involved in 79% of work related injury fatalities. Risks associated with plant and structures kill and seriously injure people every day.

OVERVIEW

‘Plant’ on construction sites includes any machinery, vehicles, equipment, or tools used for construction work, such as cranes and hoists, elevated work platforms, cutting and grinding equipment, compressors, and earthmoving and excavation machinery.

The new regulations will modernise and bolster the existing regulations by introducing new requirements for:

specified processes for determining guarding for each plant;
safe installation, maintenance, cleaning and storage of plant;
operational controls, emergency stops, and warning devices to be safely designed;
specific steps to avoid unsafe use or alterations;
presence-sensing safeguarding systems to be monitored, and thorough record keeping of testing, inspection, maintenance and alterations; and
Additional design and operational requirements for plant that lifts or suspends loads, and for lasers.

Further regulations will apply to high risk plant, which includes equipment or machinery such as cranes and pressure equipment. The requirements include suppliers and operators ensuring that the designs for such plant are verified by qualified engineers and registered in a central register (operated by WorkSafe).

UPSTREAM BUSINESSES

The new regulations aim to address plant safety throughout different stages of the supply chain, making plant entering New Zealand workplaces safer and therefore reducing harm to workers. This is achieved by requiring designers, suppliers, importers, and manufacturers of plant (as applicable) to:

provide critical safety information across the supply chain;
manage risks and hazards identified when designing, manufacturing, supply or importing plant;
share any faults in second-hand plant to the person being supplied the plant;
have guarding and safety features to meet the requirements placed on businesses that use the plant; and
request or order new designs of plant to provide designers any information about reasonably foreseeable risks and hazards at the workplace where such plant or structure will be used.

WORKING AT HEIGHT

The existing working at height requirements will be updated, clarified and simplified so that they are more flexible to the circumstances and proportionate to the risk, including:

a requirement for businesses to apply a prescribed risk management process (as defined in Part 1, Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016) to all work at height;
a requirement for business to follow a hierarchy of controls for construction work; and
licensing and qualifications for scaffolding construction and inspections will be modernised to reflect current industry practice.

From the company’s point of view, this aspect of the new regulations is most significant, as it will impact the installation of our fall arrest and fall protection systems.

EXCAVATION WORK

The new regulations will also bolster the provisions relating to excavation work by requiring:

compliance with a prescribed risk management process;
PCBUs with management or control of work sites to check for underground services to address the risk of harm and economic disruption from line strikes;
excavation work greater than 1.5 meters deep, existing controls for shoring, and fencing, will be retained and revised as well as requirements for notifying WorkSafe; and
strengthened competency for determining whether shoring is required to prevent ground collapse.

OFFENCES

Offences and penalties corresponding with these proposed regulations will be proportionate to the potential harm, and consistent with the existing offences and penalties under the Act.

WHAT’S NEXT?

A draft of the new regulations is expected to be released by the Government soon. The public will then have a chance to comment on how the changes would be best implemented, with the final regulations expected to be in place by late 2022.

As we all know, the construction sectors has always had issues with regard to accidents/injuries/fatalities, and any means of assessment / review of current systems and practices that leads to improvement in work place safety needs to be encouraged.

We look forward to seeing what comes out of the public consultation following release of the draft report, and will update further when more details are knows.

Until next time

Harness Suspension Trauma

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 02:16:05 GMT

When asked about the advantages of using safety nets as a primary means of fall arrest, we point out that one of the key advantages that this type of system has is that safety nets provide a passive/collective means of fall arrest, which means that once the nets are installed, the fall protection system being employed does not rely on any further action being taken by the person at risk of falling to arrest any possible fall. This primarily relates to the use of harnesses etc, where there is an obligation on the worker to ensure that the harness is securely fastened to a suitable safe anchor point at all times.

There are times when it is simply not possible to install safety nets, and harnesses are then used as a perfectly safe means of providing fall arrest protection for the workforce.

Indeed, our riggers themselves are extremely familiar with the use of harnesses as they often use elevated work platforms (EWP) to install nets, and the use of fall arrest harnesses whilst working from an EWP is compulsory. Harnesses certainly have a very important part to play in preventing injuries as a result of falls from height.

However, while it seems that having a fall protection harness arrest your fall is nothing but good, there’s a not-so-obvious hazard that many people aren’t aware of - fall protection harness suspension syndrome, and it can lead to rapid death (even after the harness might have just saved a life by stopping a fall). Harness suspension syndrome is known by some other names as well, including harness suspension trauma, simply suspension trauma, or orthostatic intolerance.

If a person has been suspended from a fall protection harness for too long (and this varies from person to person), the harness can cut off blood flow to parts of the body. In particular, blood flow to the person’s head may be significantly reduced .Death from suspension trauma is sometimes known as “harness-induced pathology.”

In some cases, suspension trauma can occur after only 2-3 minutes. In others, it may take 15-20 minutes. In still other cases, a person may be suspended from a harness for an hour or more without experiencing suspension trauma. So it is recognised that it’s unpredictable, variable, and can happen very quickly.

It is vitally important that anyone working with harnesses is aware of the steps to take to avoid incidence of harness trauma. If there is a fall, and if someone is suspended from a fall protection harness, they need to be rescued, placed in safe position and the harness removed as quickly as possible. A site specific rescue plan must be in place to ensure measures are taken at the earliest possible time to minimise likelihood and impact of, harness suspension trauma.

The following factors contribute to the onset of suspension trauma:

Injuries during the fall
An inability to move the legs while in the harness
Hypothermia
Shock
Cardiovascular disease
Respiratory disorder
Blood loss

Prevention :

So what are key factors to be considered in preventing harness suspension trauma? What do your employees need to know before they start working at height?

First and foremost, it is important that there is a good rescue plan in place and that all workers are well trained. It is often a matter of minutes and seconds, that are crucial, and can save a person’s life.

The rescue “team” must always be present and use the correct equipment. Working alone at height is not a good idea. At Safety Nets NZ we have a “No Lone Worker” policy which means that our teams always work in pairs.

The next step is to choose a suitable harness. Harnesses with integrated relief straps are preferred. These straps are used as a support for the victim to stay upright and therefore helps to prevent the effects of suspension trauma after a fall by allowing victim to stand up in their harness.

The sooner the victim is brought to ground level, the better. Everything thing possible should be done to bring the victim to ground at the earliest possible time.

Even After the victim has been rescued it's not over.

The blood that has accumulated in the legs is of poor quality. It is low in oxygen and saturated with CO2. If the victim were to be placed in a lying position, the poor quality blood will flow back to the brain all at once. This is what is known as reflow syndrome.

To prevent this, the victim should be placed in a sitting position with the trunk upright and the legs bent at the knees (W-position). This allows a small amount of blood to go to the brain, and the greater part remains in the legs.

If the person is unconscious, they should remain in an upright position, at all times making sure that the airways are kept clear.

If however it is necessary to resuscitate the victim, it will be necessary to stretch out the victim on the ground. Without a heartbeat, the blood will remain where it is. In any case, following a rescue, you must always call for professional help.

Conclusion:

Suspension trauma is extremely complex. Both medically and practically. Even though it is rare, it is very important to include it in your risk and rescue plans, and to follow a preventive policy.
Irrespective of whether you're working at heights of 3, 10 or 100 metres, you must always encourage your colleagues to work safely at height.
Correct use of harnesses, belts, ropes and a rescue system, should all be part of your rescue plan.
Regular training and awareness is very important as well.

Until next time……

Innovative Horizontal Fall Protection

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 02:18:29 GMT

ANOTHER INNOVATIVE INSTALLATION BY SAFETY NETS NZ

With summer now with us families will be gearing up to use their pools as the temperatures rise.

The team at Safety Nets NZ was recently approached to solve a problem for a client who had an infinity pool on his property, and for obvious reasons didn’t want to erect a vertical barrier as fall protection as it would have compromised his magnificent views.

Working closely with our client we developed a means of providing a horizontal fall protection solution that was unobtrusive and meant that the views from the pool were not impacted – see photo.

The client was delighted with the end result, and once again we were very happy to be able to solve a specific problem by using the versatility of safety net systems.

If you have any areas of your property that might possibly require the establishment of a fall protection system to keep you and you family safe then just give us a call. I am sure we can find a solution that you would be happy with.

Until next time

Soft Landing Fall Arrest Systems

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 02:25:15 GMT

WILL THE FALL PROTECTION SYSTEM YOU EMPLOY TRULY PROTECT YOUR WORKERS?

I have been asked several times over recent months what comprises a soft landing fall arrest system.

Simply, these types of systems minimize the impact forces on a body by absorbing energy of falling person.

Extensive research has been carried out in Europe (1) in consideration of the best way of preventing or reducing injury where the person suffers a fall. Research and testing considered and compared various options including a boarded deck, safety harnesses and safety net systems, and after extensive testing concluded that safety net assemblies are far more likely to prevent or reduce injury than the other options considered.

(1) BECKER,K., LOMBART,H et al Optimisation. Of intercepting devices – Biomechanical stress limits of humans. Bochum, Germany

The authors of this comprehensive report concluded that the main purpose of any fall arrest system is to reduce the forces on the body suffering a fall such that the likelihood of injury is reduced to a minimum. With regard to safety net systems, the mechanics of such an approach require that:

The net assembly i.e. the net the ties the anchors on the supporting framework progressively deflects on the load, absorbing most of the energy of a fall, so that the remaining forces on the body will be unlikely to cause injury;
The net assembly is able to progressively deformed or deflect so that the falling energy can be safely absorbed;
This absorption can be the sum total of the energy absorbed by the nets, ties, border ropes, anchors and supporting frameworks;
The net and net assembly are free to deflect and realign to the best able to absorb the impact energy of falling body; and
Sufficient mesh cords are available within the net, of which the combined tensile strength and ability to deform sufficient with stand the design impact. This combined strength is not so high of them make them that too stiff or rigid so as to cause injury to a falling person.

There have been a number of proprietary solid work platforms being promoted over recent months as a means of providing fall protection solutions for workers on construction sites. Clearly solid work platform systems do not provide the level of energy absorption referred to above, and therefore cannot be considered to provide a soft-landing protection system. If a solid work platform system is used to provide access to enable builders to stand trusses in a residential build for example, the platforms will then be left in place as “fall protection” for the roofers who could still be working at a height of over 2m above the platform level (i.e from ridge line) when they come to site to carry out their works. This is no different from someone working at the level of the top plate, with no protection to prevent a fall to the slab 2m below.

If consideration is then given to the inconvenience that solid work platforms create i.e unable to work in rooms where the platforms have been established ( works can carry on. both above and below safety net systems); the time taken to establish the platform system and also the fact that very rarely does the platform module fit exactly in rooms thereby requiring overlapping platform tiles that create trip hazards, it is easy to see why safety nets provide a more popular solution, whilst also protecting workers by establishing a true soft landing fall arrest solution.

As a matter of interest there is currently a Safety Alert on the homepage of the FASET website that outlines the dangers of mixing components of solid working platform systems, which is further cause for concern.

So when thinking about how best to protect your workforce, ask yourself whether or not the fall arrest solution in question is the best for the situation at hand, and if it will minimise the impact of harmful forces experienced by a body as a result of having it’s fall arrested by the system being considered.

Until next time

Regards

Craig

Obligations of PCBU's

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 02:31:09 GMT

RECENT WORKSAFE PROSECUTION REINFORCES OBLIGATIONS OF PCBU’S IN REGARD TO ENSURING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THEIR WORKFORCE

Two parties were recently fined a total of $63,000 after twice disregarding WorkSafe notices about unsafe work from a height, and putting workers at risk of serious harm by failing to ensure workers were protected from a risk of falling from a height while building farm sheds.

WorkSafe’s Head of General Inspectorate Jo Pugh said an inspector visited the site in question and immediately observed a number of failings, primarily that there was no system on site to prevent a fall from height onto concrete below.

A prohibition notice was issued, and the builders should have immediately worked to remedy the problem, but a subsequent revisit from Worksafe inspectors found that instead the builders continued to cut corners by installing shoddy fall protection.

Both parties failed to ensure work was carried out safely despite both having responsibilities for employees’ health and safety.

Mrs Pugh said “The disregard for workers safety, not once, but twice, is unacceptable. If WorkSafe is made aware of any unsafe work from a height taking place businesses can be assured that there will be consequences.”

Following prosecution, both companies were sentenced under sections 36(1)(a), 48(1) and (2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, i.e.

Being a PCBU having a duty to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers at work in the business or undertaking, did fail to comply with that duty and that failure exposed individuals, to a risk of death or serious injury arising from a fall from height.

As I am sure you are aware, all PCBU’s have an obligation to ensure the health and safety of themselves and others. There is a “Duty to Test” placed on all PCBU’s to ensure that the materials and systems they use are capable of performing as expected without risk to health and safety of the workforce ( HSWA 2015) ( The Act).

Safety Nets NZ has worked closely with the team at Massey University School of Engineering and Technology to ensure that the fall protection systems that are provided are fit for purpose by undertaking lengthy and robust testing of all elements of our safety net systems. We are the only one of two companies in the country that can prove that our safety net systems have been independently tested and certified as fit for purpose.

As the Engineers at the University conclude, “The testing and research carried out confirms that Safety Nets NZ Limited has tested it’s systems in accordance with the requirements of the Act”.

Therefore, all of our clients can rest assured that as PCBU they have discharged their duties regards the requirements of the Act. They can also be confident that the soft fall protection systems we provide have been independently tested and perform at the required standard, and that they are using a system that is without risk to the health and safety of their workforce.

So when considering the type of equipment/system to be adopted to address a specific safety risk remember that it needs to be fit for purpose upon installation, as well as for the lifetime that it is in use on your site.

Until next time,

Craig

COVID-19: Return to Work

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 02:38:02 GMT

As indicated yesterday by the Government, there will be a transition from Covid-19 Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 next Tuesday morning , and it has been confirmed that “construction works” are to be permitted under Level 3 conditions.

In light of this , when we get the go ahead from our clients to restart works, we need to make sure that our net systems remain complaint and fit for purpose.

In many cases our nets will have been in place for over a month, and in accordance with standard requirements, will need to be inspected prior to works starting above them. As you will be aware there is an obligation on your part, as client , to visually inspect the nets prior to any recommencement of works above the net system to ensure no attachment systems are loose, that the safety nets have not been loaded or damaged and that they are clear of debris and that there is sufficient clearance below the nets.

However, it is our view that the current circumstances necessitate a more robust and consistent methodology be adopted to ensure the ongoing compliance of net systems that are in place at the moment. For this reason it is our intention to have the senior riggers from the Safety Nets NZ team visit all sites in the days immediately following the return to work, and formally inspect/re-certify all the net systems so that you can rest assured that the systems are fully compliant prior to your teams working above them.

By Safety Nets NZ taking this action, it is our view that you as the client will have taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the you have discharged your duties in regards to HSWA (2015) in ensuring that the soft fall protection you are using is fit for purpose, and capable of performing as expected without risk to the health and safety of your workforce.

This recertification of the net systems will incur costs, but it is our intention to significantly reduce our standard call out charges to a small, nominal amount to help everyone at this difficult time.

We will have a team of riggers dedicated to the task of recertification, but obviously cannot be at every site at once, so please bear with us as we endeavour to get around the sites as quickly as we can, but we must stress we cannot rush things as we need to be certain that every installed net remains fit for purpose.

By adopting this strategy we are taking the onus off your site based teams initially so that we can take responsibility for ensuring the ongoing compliance of the systems, prior to re start of work, and once the nets are re-certified your usual obligations as client in regard to ongoing suitability of the nets will come into play. To remind you of what to look for, please click here to view or download our standard summary sheet that accompanies all Handover Certificates and which outlines things to look for in regard to the net systems.

If you have any queries in regard to what needs to be done do not hesitate to contact our team at any time.

Vertical Barrier Nets

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 02:43:36 GMT

The team at Safety Nets NZ continues to look for innovative solutions to height safety problems, and a further example of such an installation can be seen at the apartment complex currently under construction at Alexandra Park in Auckland.

The main contractor identified a potential hazard that it wanted to address as interior fit out works on the apartments were undertaken. The glass balustrades to the apartment decks had been installed, but additional fall protection measures were required to safeguard against someone falling over the actual balustrade whilst undertaking their fit out/finishing works.

The main challenge associated with the installation of vertical barrier safety nets involved ensuring that the installation of the nets would not impact on finishing works within the apartments themselves.

Working closely with the main contractor we were able to develop a system that satisfied all the client’s logistical and practical construction needs, whilst also mitigating the risk associated with the hazard that had been identified.

Remember, safety nets don’t only need to be deployed horizontally. Vertically installed safety nets can also provide an effective fall arrest solution where it proves impractical to install nets in the traditional manner.

If you have a situation on site where you are concerned about a possible fall hazard, please call us as I am sure we can come up with a practical and cost-effective fall arrest solution.

Until next time.

Is My Safety Net System Compliant?

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 01:43:26 GMT

WHAT TO LOOK FOR TO CONFIRM YOUR NET SYSTEM IS COMPLIANT

The use of safety nets as the preferred means of providing fall through protection on construction sites has become increasingly apparent over recent years, and as a greater number of builders, roofers, property managers etc. realise the benefit of using nets as their primary means of fall protection, we are finding that there is an ongoing need to educate and reinforce the key components of ensuring that the net systems that they are using are compliant.

Our clients often ask how they can check that the safety net system has been installed and is fit for purpose so I thought it an opportune time to outline key things to look for when inspecting your fall protection system.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD SAFETY NETS BE TESTED AND HOW IS THIS CONFIRMED?

All safety nets used for fall arrest must be subjected to an annual test of the energy absorption capacity of the net. When new, a safety net will normally be supplied with three test meshes loosely attached to the safety net. At no more than 12 month periods a test mesh will be taken off and tested. Where the test mesh exceeds the minimum energy absorption capacity stated by the manufacturer, then the nets may remain in service for a further period not exceeding 12 months. Where the energy absorption capacity falls below the level stated by the manufacturer, then the net must be removed from service and destroyed.

The test house will produce written evidence of the results of the test, which must be kept by the netting contractor until the following years test results are available. It is, however, good practice to keep all safety net test mesh results throughout the life of each net.

HOW CAN A CLIENT CONFIRM THE NET HAS BEEN TESTED?

To check whether the annual absorption capacity test has been carried out you can do the following:

Ask the netting contractor to supply the written history of a safety net.
Look at the date of manufacture of the net, then record how many test meshes remain on the net.

For example a net manufactured in January 2016 should have two test meshes remaining by February 2017, one test mesh by February 2018 and so on. Whilst this will not confirm that the net has passed its annual energy absorption test it is a simple indicator that the netting contractor has a system in place for ensuring the test samples are removed for test.

WHEN SHOULD A SAFETY NET SYSTEM BE INSPECTED?

Fall arrest safety nets should be inspected by a competent person during the rigging process, and at handover stage to a contractor who is to work above the nets.

The user should carry out a visual inspection before commencing work above a rigged safety net system i.e at the start of every day, after lunch break etc.
Fall arrest safety nets should have a further inspection by a competent person every 7 days after handover if they continue to be worked over.
Or following a period of adverse weather.

WHO SHOULD RIG SAFETY NETS?

Nets should only be installed by a suitably trained and qualified person. Client’s should ask to see proof of competency by way of appropriate and suitable certification prior to commencement of net installation works.

WHAT IS MAXIMUM SPACING BETWEEN NET ATTACHMENTS?

Generally on commercial projects spacing of attachments should be no greater than 2.5m.

However on residential projects, or in situations where the clearance below the net is limited to approximately 2m, the net should be secured at a maximum of 1.7m centres. Our extensive testing carried out at Massey University has confirmed that by reducing fixing centres in this manner we can ensure the performance of the net system.

As part of our handover procedure on every project we provide a Checklist that outlines in detail what clients should look for following handover of the net system, together with a list of "do's and don'ts" that our clients can refer to. A copy of this checklist can be viewed by referring to this pdf .

I hope that this blog answers some questions that you might have, but should you have any further questions not covered off here or elsewhere on the website please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time. Craig

Safety Gear Must Be Fit For Purpose

Mon, 13 May 2019 01:37:26 GMT

Worksafe NZ’s recent investigations into three serious falls reveals one thing they all have in common. Unsafe equipment was the primary cause. Identifying a workplace risk but not following up to ensure it is controlled is bad health and safety business practice according to Worksafe .

The comment follows the sentencing of a construction company in the Christchurch District Court after a painter was injured in the construction companies own workplace.

Worksafe says the case is a clear example of workplaces not ensuring safety gear is actually safe for use.

The injured painter was given incorrectly installed mobile scaffolding to work from. On the first day on the job the painter fell two metres from the scaffolding to the concrete floor below, landing head first and sustaining multiple fractures to his skull, face and ribs.

Whilst the contractor had identified a fall from a work platform as a risk and therefore that some form of fall protection was required, and it further noted that any such fall protection system needed to be correctly installed , they had no systems in place to ensure that pre work check took place to ensure that the safety equipment provided was installed correctly and fit for purpose.

There are two elements to this issue.

1. The equipment used must be confirmed as fit for purpose prior to use
2. The equipment used must be installed in a fully compliant manner.

In regard to the first issue, Safety Nets NZ has worked closely with the team at Massey University School of Engineering and Technology to ensure that the fall protection systems that are provided are fit for purpose by undertaking lengthy and robust testing of all elements of our safety net systems .

All PCBU’s have an obligation to ensure the health and safety of themselves and others. There is a “Duty to Test” placed on all PCBU’s to ensure that the materials and systems they use are capable of performing as expected without risk to health and safety of the workforce ( HSWA 2015) ( The Act)

As the Engineers at the University conclude, “The testing and research carried out confirms that Safety Nets NZ Limited has tested it’s systems in accordance with the requirements of the Act”.

Regards the second issue to ensure that all net systems are installed correctly and in a fully compliant manner, all of our riggers are certified to install safety nets and we have a robust and market leading system in place to ensure the ongoing compliance of our vast inventory of net stock.

Our net systems are only certified as fit for purpose on each site following final detailed inspection by our riggers, who then complete post installation checklist and sign off on the site specific Handover Certificate.

We also have a dedicated Inspector who is tasked with randomly auditing installations, and rigger performance, so that we can ensure that our high standards of workmanship are maintained.

Until next time

Craig

How Do You Repair a Safety Net?

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 00:42:16 GMT

We are quite often asked about permanent repairs that may have been made to safety nets, the primary questions being:

How can we be certain that the repairs have been done correctly?
How many repairs can there be in a single safety net?

The answers can be found by considering the FASET advice contained in their various Technical Bulletins. It is worth noting that there are several ways of permanently repairing nets, but our preferred methodology is generally regarded as the most effective and robust, and that involves the use of C rings to secure the patch repair in position.

Simply, damaged knotless safety nets can be repaired to enable further use.

The following commentary is based on FASET guidance and should be followed to ensure that all repairs are carried out in a fully compliant manner.

COMPETENCY OF NET REPAIRER

All repairs to a safety net must be carried out by an authorised and competent person who has attended a recognised training course within the previous five years. At Safety Nets NZ we have a fully trained and qualified rigger who is solely responsible for the management of our entire net inventory, including the permanent repair of our nets. He has a dedicated zone at our main premises in which he manages the overall compliance of our nets, ensuring that they remain fit for purpose.

PERMANENT PATCH REPAIR - MINIMUM STANDARD

Multi-mesh cuts to a Safety Net shall only be repaired using a patch repair

The repair shall have a minimum of 1 mesh overlap as shown below

The patch used in a repair shall be of new material and shall comply with BS EN 1263-1

The repair twine shall be a minimum of 3mm thick, shall be of new material which is approved by the Safety Net Manufacturer for safety net repairs and shall be double knotted either side of each strand

There are two methods of attaching a patch to a safety net, firstly by using twine, or secondly via mechanically applied C rings

1. TWINE REPAIRS

(I) By lacing repair twine through both the inside and perimeter meshes of the patch, as follows:

(II) By lacing repair twine through the perimeter meshes of the patch and using cable ties to attach the inside (only) mesh , see below:

The cable tie is not to be considered as contributing any strength to the repair

Repairs must not overlap

2. PERMANENT SINGLE STRAND REPAIR

The repair must extend at least 1 square past the damage and the repair twine must cross the damaged hole twice
The repair twine shall be a minimum of 3mm thick, shall be of new material which is approved by the Safety Net Manufacturer for safety net repairs and shall be double knotted either side of each strand

3. PERMANENT C RING PATCH REPAIR - MINIMUM STANDARD

The repairer shall only use C Rings and equipment that has been tested and proven to be fit for purpose

The repair shall have a minimum of 1 mesh overlap

The patch used in a repair shall be of new material and shall comply with BS EN 1263-1

Each full mesh shall have at least three equally spaced C rings applied to it and they shall enclose both the original net and new patch material.

FASET Technical Bulletin No.5 confirms that there is no limit to the number of permanent repairs that can be made to a safety net.

All repairs must be tagged to confirm date of repair etc… We have developed our own proprietary tags that are attached to all repairs to ensure that the appropriate details are recorded.

I hope that this helps with clarifying what to look for when you are assessing the quality, and compliance of any repairs that you encounter when using safety nets on your sites.

The team at Safety Nets NZ prides itself on the systems we have in place to ensure that all of our nets remain compliant, and the correct and effective repair of nets is fundamental to ensuring that any repaired nets remain fit for purpose.

Until next time

Craig

Tailor-Made Fall Protection

Thu, 15 Nov 2018 00:32:30 GMT

VERSATILITY OF NETS, “I’M NOT SURE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HELP ME, BUT……”

It is surprising how often we receive a phone call that starts out with the opening line “I’m not sure you will be able to help but………….”

One such conversation starter recently led to the establishment of a safety net fall protection system on a very clever and innovative construction project in Whitford, to the south of Auckland.

One of our clients was redeveloping a significant residential property that borders the Waitemata Harbour.

The builders’ client needed a base for his helicopter, and the design team came up with the solution of establishing a helicopter pad on top of two shipping containers in an area of the property away from the main residence.

The designers were concerned about the risk of falling from the elevated pad but didn’t want to provide protection via a handrail system, so sought our advice regards possible netting alternatives. From experience gained on a project at Dunedin hospital where we established a net system to provide protection for the helicopter pad that is located on the roof of the hospital, we knew what could be achieved.

The result is a bespoke solution that looks really good, and also provides a perfect fall arrest solution.

So next time you find yourself wondering how you can deal with a situation that involves the potential for someone to fall, just call Safety Nets NZ. You might be surprised at the range and versatility of the tailor-made fall protection solutions that we can offer.

Until next time, keep safe.

Craig Daly

Industrial Debris & Asbestos Containment

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 00:30:10 GMT

RE-ROOFING YOUR INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY? HAVE YOU CONSIDERED OUR BESPOKE DEBRIS AND ASBESTOS CONTAINMENT, FALL PROTECTION SYSTEM?

The team at Safety Nets NZ is continually looking to innovate and develop new services that are of benefit to our clients. Over the last 3 years we have developed our debris and asbestos containment fall arrest solution that is perfectly suited to situations where clients find it necessary to replace their existing factory/warehouse roof.

With the new regulations coming into force in regard to treatment of asbestos in buildings, the system we have developed has proven to be extremely popular in situations where clients have found it necessary to replace roof sheets where asbestos is found to be present.

If asbestos is present in your workplace you have a legal obligation under the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 to protect employees and contractors from any risk it might cause. Asbestos is the number one cause of death from work related illness in New Zealand.

Removal is the most common way of controlling asbestos but can potentially release asbestos contaminated dust in an uncontrolled manner.

Property owners/employers are beginning to realize the issues they face with regards to the safe removal of asbestos contaminated materials, particularly in older roof sheeting systems. The team at Safety Nets NZ has developed a bespoke solution to assist clients having to deal with this issue.

Safety Nets NZ has developed an encapsulated netting solution to mitigate hazards associated with dust and asbestos contamination.

Our system provides fall protection, together with containment/collection of debris and any asbestos fibres that may be present / generated as works take place, meaning that the removal of asbestos contaminated roofing can be carried out safely, whilst still allowing the clients processes and operations to continue unaffected by the protection measures deployed.

HOW DOES DEBRIS AND ASBESTOS CONTAINMENT WORK?

Debris and asbestos containment is achieved in combination with a fall protection solution. A debris netting liner and/or a layer of heavy duty polythene overlay the personnel safety net to provide a 3-layer protective system. The debris liner helps to catch small falling objects such as tools or demolition materials that might fall through the spaces between the weaving of the safety nets.

We have successfully used this system on numerous projects throughout the country, saving our clients hundreds of thousands of dollars by enabling the roof to be replaced with NO PRODUCTION DOWNTIME – THEIR WORK PROCESS CAN CONTINUE UNAFFECTED AS THE ROOF IS REPLACED.

How to manage compliance of over 10,000 nets for the best possible safety net solution

Thu, 23 Aug 2018 00:24:44 GMT

Safety Nets NZ has over 10,000 nets in our inventory, thereby ensuring that we are able to satisfy the many varied safety net installation requirements of all our clients at any time.

The need to confirm the ongoing suitability of each individual net is hugely important to ensuring that any safety net solution that we provide will perform as expected, and in a fully compliant manner.

Each net needs to be tested annually to ensure that it remains fit for purpose, otherwise it needs to be withdrawn from service.

So, the challenge is – how do we track every single net that we have to ensure that it is tested at the right time every year to ensure ongoing compliance of our safety fall arrest systems? The answer is we use a cloud-based asset tracking software provided by Go Codes Asset Management out of USA.

Each net has an individual, unique ID number. By attaching a Go Codes ID tag to every net, each containing a unique QR barcode on it, Go Codes software is able to provide a globally unique digital ID for each net that ensures complete traceability.

OUR SAFETY FALL ARREST SYSTEM IS FIT FOR PURPOSE

Our riggers are able to simply scan the Go Codes ID tag on the net with their smart phones and receive real time information on the status of the net to confirm when it is next due for testing. This means that prior to installation of a safety net on any project, by scanning the ID tag we are able to determine the compliance of each and every single net. If the net requires testing, a mesh is removed and sent to our test house and the net remains out of service until such time as the test results confirm that either the net remains fit for purpose, or it is to be permanently removed from service. In following this procedure we ensure that the safety fall arrest system we provide is fit for purpose, and that ongoing compliance of our safety net solution is assured.

The Go Codes system also affords us the ability to monitor the location of all of our nets via the GPS tracking capability of the ID tag.

We have found that by using this asset management software system we are able to manage the compliance of our nets and ensure that our customers can rest assured that they are getting a safety net installation that is fit for purpose every time.

Check out Go Codes on www.gocodes.com

Independent testing confirms integrity of Safety Nets NZ systems

Thu, 31 May 2018 00:15:26 GMT

It may come as a surprise to you that there has never been a formal, fully engineered system certified, anywhere in the world, for the use of safety nets as primary means of fall protection on residential construction projects where net areas are less than 35 sq.m. European Standard BSEN : 1263 Part 2 primarily sets out net installation parameters where the area of the net to be installed is greater than 35 sq.m.

The team at Safety Nets NZ was the pioneer for the development of the system that is widely, and successfully, used on residential construction sites throughout the country today, and the compliance parameters that we have developed in relation to the installation of safety nets on these types of projects, where net areas are commonly less than 35 sq.m., have been developed through our own rigorous in house testing. We know our system works because we have tested it extensively.

However, with the enactment of the Health and Safety at Work Act (2015) ( The Act) it became apparent to us that to comply with the requirements of the Act we needed to have our system independently analysed, engineered and ultimately certified . Therefore, in late 2016, together with Fall Pac NZ Limited, we engaged the services of the of the team at the School of Engineering and Advanced Technology at Massey University in Albany with the aim of rigorously, independently testing all elements of our system.

We had a purpose built testing rig constructed on the campus in Albany, and in the intervening period we have used the rig to drop varying loads from varying heights, into safety nets of varying sizes. The nets, brackets, border ropes etc… were fitted with load cells that recorded forces on these key elements of not just the net system, but also the falling body itself. There is a video on the home page of our website ( www.safetynetsnz.co.nz) that shows the rig set up, and an indicative test.

The team at Massey carried out a multitude of tests, under varying conditions and assessed different installation parameters i.e varying load drop heights and weights, varying bracket centres, varying net sizes, varying points where the load strikes the net, testing nets of different ages, testing repaired nets etc... with the results being collated and analysed to effectively confirm that our system works.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO TEST INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS OF A SYSTEM IN ISOLATION. THE SYSTEM ITSELF NEEDS TO BE ROBUSTLY TESTED TO ENSURE THAT IT WORKS IN IT’S ENTIRETY.

Upon completion of the testing and analysis, a comprehensive report into the findings of the work carried out was produced by the team at Massey. The key conclusions from the report foll ow;

“ Based on the results of the experiment and research carried out for this report, as well as research and investigation carried out by reputable academic sources, it can be established the system of safety net installation currently used by Safety Nets NZ is exemplary within the safety net industry."

"Results verify that when a fall arrest safety net system is installed in accordance with the standards and criteria developed by Safety Nets NZ Ltd, as described and rigorously tested in this report, the system will successfully arrest the fall of a person substantially minimising the risk of injury or even death that can potentially occur as a result of the fall.”

“Any safety net system provider engaged by an upstream PCBU should be able to demonstrate that the service/system offered is fit for its intended purpose and capable of performing as expected, without health and safety risk to the workforce. The testing and research carried out for this report confirms that Safety Nets NZ Limited has tested it’s system in accordance with the requirements of the Act (HS WA 2015)”

As I am sure you are aware, all PCBU’s have an obligation to ensure the health and safety of themselves and others. The Act requires all PCBU’s to ensure that any system that they are using is without health and safety risk so far as is reasonably practicable. There is a “duty to test” placed on all PCBU’s to ensure and verify that they are certain that the systems, materials, etc… that they use are fit for purpose, and capable of performing as expected without risk to health and safety of the workforce.

DUTY TO TEST – IS YOUR CURRENT SUPPLIER COMPLIANT?

As the engineers at Massey conclude...

“The testing and research carried out... confirms that... Safety Nets NZ Limited has tested it’s systems in accordance with the requirements of the Act”

So as one of our key clients you can rest assured that as PCBU you have discharged your duties in regards to ensuring that the soft fall protection systems we provide , and that you engage, have been tested and confirmed to perform at the required standard. Therefore (in that respect) you are using a system that is without risk to the health and safety of your workforce, provided of course that the safety nets are used strictly according to the relevant guidelines and instructions.

Once again Safety Nets NZ leads the way in the ongoing development and continual improvement of the use of safety net systems on construction sites throughout the country, so if you need any help with your upcoming project, just contact me on craig@safetynetsnz.co.nz or (021) 782 583 at any time to see how we can help you make use of what is currently the only fully engineered and independently certified safety net fall arrest system for residential construction sites in the country.

Cheers for now
Craig

Safety Nets NZ Celebrates 10 Years Saving Lives

Fri, 04 May 2018 00:08:31 GMT

It is hard to believe that October this year marks the 10 year anniversary of the establishment of Safety Nets NZ Ltd.

From very humble beginnings we have grown to be a country’s largest and leading practitioner in regard to the installation of safety net fall protection systems throughout the country, with branches in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, Central Otago and Dunedin.

In early 2008 the current directors of Safety Nets NZ Ltd identified a need for a better way of protecting workers working at high-level from risk of injury associated with falls. Having been familiar with use of safety nets in the UK we decided to introduce this proven system to the New Zealand construction sector. At that time there was very little awareness of what safety nets were and how they would perform, and indeed the practicalities and effectiveness of safety net systems was completely unknown. We spent considerable time with inspectors from the Department of Labour as it was then known, explaining how the nets worked, and showing them what to look for in terms of compliance regards the nets themselves, and the manner in which they were installed.

At that time there are no New Zealand standards that related to the use of safety nets, so to ensure that the nets were installed correctly we had to fly out a senior net rigger/trainer from the UK to train our first riggers.

We were the first company in the country specifically established to provide safety net fall protection services.

As the market became increasingly familiar with the advantages of using safety nets as a means of providing fall protection, the type of works that we were asked to help with broadened, and we have worked for a range of the country's largest infrastructure and construction companies on some very interesting and wide ranging projects including on Auckland Harbour Bridge, Dunedin Hospital, Vector Access Chambers in Auckland City, Bridge Crossing of Upper Hutt Estuary etc…

In mid 2012 we were approached by Department of Labour (the forerunner of Worksafe NZ) who at the time were looking to promote their “Best Practice Guidelines for Working on Roofs, with specific emphasis on residential projects. They asked us to look into the possibility of developing a system whereby safety nets could be used on house construction projects. This had not been done before, and it took 3 months of engineering analysis and research to develop a system that was practical, effective and efficient to use, and accepted by the industry. In October 2012 we were the first company to install safety nets on a residential construction project in New Zealand. Since then we have installed nets on over 12,000 houses throughout the country.

We have been the market leader in terms of scale and development of new systems, and were recognized at the prestigious Westpac Business Awards in 2016 with an Excellence in Innovation award.

We have continued to innovate and have developed other service offerings based around the use of safety nets that have proved very popular throughout the country including walk on tensioned platforms, debris containment, asbestos containment, vertical partition netting.

For the last two years we have been working closely with the engineering department at Massey University on the development of the only truly independently certified and engineered safety net fall arrest system that is used on residential construction projects throughout New Zealand. The purpose of the testing carried out by the team at the University was to establish and verify proven criteria for installation of safety nets on residential construction sites. There has been very little, if any work done in this area throughout the world, and certainly not in the Asia-Pacific region. In undertaking this work we are able to substantiate that our system, based on the installation parameters that we have developed and had proven by intensive independent testing, is fully compliant, fit for purpose and proven in the marketplace. We are the only company in the country that has carried out this analysis to prove the validity and performance of our company specific system.

As we approach this significant milestone in our history, it is an opportune time to look back on what we have achieved over the last decade, but also to take the opportunity to look forward to see how we can continue to improve and develop as a company to ensure that the needs of our clients are met. We have spent some time thinking about what we do, and why we do it, and have rewritten our company Mission Statement to reflect our goals and values, and this Mission Statement will hopefully lead us through the next 10 years.

SERIES OF FIRSTS/HIGHLIGHTS

The first company established solely to install Safety Nets as a means of fall protection on construction sites.

First company to fly trainer out from UK to train members of our team.

First riggers trained and certified in New Zealand by senior trainer from FASET in the UK.

Worked closely with MBIE to develop “Best Practice Guidelines for Installation of Safety Nets on Construction Sites”.

Part of team that worked on establishment of SARNZ “Guideline for Residential Construction”.

Instrumental in establishing FASNA.

First company to install safety net fall protection system on a residential site in New Zealand.

First company to develop truly independently engineered solution for installation of safety nets fall protection system on residential construction sites in New Zealand.

Winner of prestigious Westpac business awards for Innovation in Business for Auckland North region in 2016.

Largest provider of safety net fall arrest solutions throughout New Zealand.

Developer of bespoke net management system to ensure ongoing compliance of over 20,000 nets.

Leading developer of bespoke net fall protection systems for debris and asbestos containment during re-roofing works.

Led the market with development and installation of first tensioned net and walk on platform system that provides both work place access and fall protection .

Safety Nets Save Worker in 8 Storey Fall

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 23:18:15 GMT

You may well have seen netting established around the perimeter of multi story buildings at various times. The nets project beyond the face of the structure to offer protection for workers and pedestrians alike as the nets provide both a personal and debris fall arrest solution.

We recently developed and established such a system at the prestigious newly completed 15 storey office building at Custom Street on the waterfront in Wellington.

I am regularly asked about the performance and suitability of the net systems we provide, and quite often can refer to historic statistics and examples of particular incidents that have occurred in which the nets have been “put to work”.

There was such an incident that occurred in Seattle very recently that provides proof, and comfort, that correctly designed, engineered and installed fall protection netting systems do work, and save lives. ( see photo)

A worker on a project in Seattle city centre fell from the 20th storey of a building into fan netting that had been established at the 12th floor level. The height of the fall was in the order of 25m. The worker suffered serious injuries, and at the time of writing this blog is still in intensive care, which is a terrible situation for him to find himself in. However, if the net system had not been established, and no fall protection provided, the consequences are obvious.

It is very sad that the worker got badly injured, and no one likes to see accidents like this occurring, but the incident does show the benefit of establishing fan net fall protection systems on multi story construction projects.

With best regards until next time

Craig

Safety Nets NZ on Radio New Zealand

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 03:16:41 GMT

Builders urged to set safety net after roof-fall injuries.

Builders are being put on notice about the need for secure safety nets to stop workers seriously injuring themselves if they fall off roofs or walls.

This news clip ran 23 August 2017 on Radio NZ – listen to it now by clicking on a link below:

builders_urged_to_set_safety_net_after_roof-fall_injuries.mp3

Link to it here at Radio NZ

Craig J Daly
GENERAL MANAGER
craig@safetynetsnz.co.nz
021 782 583

Giving back to the community

Mon, 21 Aug 2017 23:13:15 GMT

THE TEAM AT SAFETY NETS NZ HAS LONG HAD A PHILOSOPHY OF TRYING TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY IN AS MANY WAYS AS POSSIBLE.

As examples of this, we have been a Platinum sponsor of Hibiscus Coast Association Football Club , based at Stanmore Bay on Whangaparaoa Peninsula, for the last 4 years.

The club has over 1100 members, with teams representing age groups ranging from year 5 to over 40’s ( which in reality means the mid-50's!)

Members of the Safety Nets NZ team have been heavily involved with the club over the last 12 years, both in a playing and coaching capacity, and are pleased to provide ongoing support for this wonderful community-based club.

The football club prides itself on the positive team culture that it has established over the years, throughout all age groups, and this is something that we at Safety Nets NZ also find very important, and something that we strive to engender into our working practices.

Over the last couple of years, we have also provided large safety nets to Harbour Sport for use in the annual Mud Monster Mud Rush that they hold at Massey University . The event provides a platform for local school groups for example to generate funds for particular causes that are important to them. The event has grown over the years to the stage where there are expected to be 2000 participants at this year's mud rush, which is to be held on 9th and 10th September 2017 at Massey University, Albany, Auckland, between 0900 and 1300.

Giving back to the community is great for our business morale, helping our team to give a hand to those non-for profit organisations doing great work behind the scenes. Some of our other community support goes to:

Special Needs Children's Parties 2017

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Craig J Daly
GENERAL MANAGER
craig@safetynetsnz.co.nz
021 782 583

Safety Nets Teams up with Massey University

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 22:58:39 GMT

IT MAY COME AS A SURPRISE TO SOME THAT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A FORMAL, FULLY ENGINEERED SYSTEM CERTIFIED FOR THE USE OF SAFETY NETS AS PRIMARY MEANS OF FALL PROTECTION ON RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WHERE NET AREAS ARE LESS THAN 35 SQ.M. IN AREA ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

The team at Safety Nets NZ was the pioneer for the development of the system that is widely, and successfully, used throughout the country today and the compliance parameters that we have developed in relation to the installation of safety nets on residential projects have been developed through our own rigorous in house testing. We know our system works because we have tested it extensively.

However, as we continue to seek to lead the way regards the development and use of safety net systems, we have decided that we need to establish a fully engineered and independently certified solution that identifies Best Practice Guidelines to ensure that our standards of installation etc… are maintained and indeed raised throughout the country.

To achieve this aim, we realize we need to work with recognised, respected and independent experts and with this in mind, alongside Fall Pac NZ Limited, we have established a working relationship with the guys from the School of Engineering and Advanced Technology at Massey University in Albany.

The aim of the alliance with Massey is to formally develop a set of Best Practice Guidelines for the use of safety nets on sites residential construction sites, and when this analysis is complete we will be the only company in the country, and possibly even the world, that has gone to this extent to prove the performance of nets in the particular circumstances that are unique to residential construction projects in NZ.

We have had a purpose built testing rig constructed on the campus in Albany. The rig enables us to drop varying loads from varying heights, into safety nets. The nets, brackets, border ropes etc… are fitted with load cells that record forces on these key elements of not just the net system, but also the falling body itself. There is a video on the home page that shows the rig set up, and an indicative test.

We will be carrying out a multitude of tests, under varying conditions and be assessing different installation parameters i.e varying load drop height and weight, varying bracket centres, varying net sizes, varying points where the load strikes the net, testing nets of different ages, testing repaired nets etc…. All testing will be undertaken by the team at Massey, with the results being collated to ultimately develop a set of confirmed parameters for the safe use of safety nets on residential construction sites. Once these guidelines are established, every party that installs or requires the use of safety nets will have base parameters that they can check to ensure that safety nets have been installed in a fully compliant manner.

Once again Safety Nets NZ leads the way in the ongoing development and continual improvement of the use of safety net systems on construction sites throughout the country, so if you need any help with your upcoming project, just contact me on craig@safetynetsnz.co.nz or (021) 782 583 at any time to see how we can help you make use of what will be the only fully engineered and independently certified safety net fall arrest system for residential construction sites in the country.

Until next time

Best regards

Craig J Daly
GENERAL MANAGER
craig@safetynetsnz.co.nz
021 782 583

Ladders and the new Health & Safety at Work Act

Thu, 12 Jan 2017 22:22:06 GMT

SITE SAFE RECENTLY PUT OUT A PUBLICATION ON THE SAFE USE OF LADDERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES WHICH I THINK IS WORTHWHILE INCLUDING IN OUR REGULAR NEWS BULLETINS.

Despite what you may have heard, you can still use ladders under the new law.

The new law doesn't specify heights at which you should or shouldn't use a ladder. It does say you must use equipment that appropriate to the task however. So if you work at height, you must take action to protect workers from harm that could come from a fall, as far as reasonably practicable.

Work platforms, scaffolding and towers are all options that help prevent falls. Ladders should be the last option, and only used for lower risk and short duration tasks. According to WorkSafe, approximately 70% of all falls are from ladders and roofs. The cost of these falls is estimated to be $24 million, a year-to say nothing of the human cost as a result of these falls.

If you need to use a ladder, here are some quick tips on how to do so safely:

Do:

As much prep work on the ground as possible.
Use a toolbelt, don't put tools on the rungs.
Secure the top and bottom of the ladder to prevent slipping sideways or falling backwards.
Keep three points of contact.
Stop at the third step from the top of the straight ladder or ensure you have at least 1 m extending past the point to which you are stepping off from.
Use an industrial standard ladder in good condition
Ensure the stays and clips are secured on stepladders, place the steps towards your work and avoid side on loading.
Ensure all working areas and accessways are clean, level, well lit and in good condition. Remove unwanted material and construction waste regularly from sites and it does not accumulate.
Ensure construction materials, power lead, tools and equipment are positioned and secured to avoid creating hazards.

Don’t:

Overload
Over reach
Work near openings or voids
Have more than one person on the ladder at a time

At Safety Nets, the safe use of ladders is a fundamental part of our work practices. We always strive to ensure that our team has the right equipment and is educated on how to use it, at all times to ensure that WorkSafe requirements are satisfied.

Click the images to download PDF of Worksafe Spec sheet.

Until next time – take care.

Craig J Daly
GENERAL MANAGER
craig@safetynetsnz.co.nz
021 782 583

Safety at heights in the South Island

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 22:19:14 GMT

New Zealand’s favourable warmer and brighter months seem to be bringing people out of their winter slumber, and throwing them into the Safety Nets world.

Having just completed the Christchurch Justice & Emergency Services Precinct project, residential safety netting work in both Queenstown Lakes and Dunedin is increasing as the temperature rises.

We’ve now commenced an exciting new project in Queenstown – providing fall safe protection safety net systems at The Warehouse at Five Mile.

Safety Nets operations in Eastern-Christchurch have wrapped up a successful project providing soft-fall protection for the install of Kingspan panels at Aranui Community Campus School.

We are also well underway working with two of Christchurch’s largest engineering firms – providing fall protection for the installation of Comflor at the King Edward Barracks site, The Crossing carpark, and retail hospitality complex in central Christchurch.

Our loyal clients are enjoying a site safe environment with peace of mind that their South Island workforce is getting home in one piece at the end of the day.

Safety Nets wins prestigious Westpac business award, 2016

Fri, 07 Oct 2016 22:07:20 GMT

A few months ago Safety Nets NZ was nominated to submit an entry into the annual search to find the region’s best businesses, and at a recent black tie gala dinner held organised and hosted by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, and attended by some of the most successful businesses in the region , in the face of very stiff competition, Safety Nets NZ Limited was crowned as winner of The Excellence In Innovation award , sponsored by Massey University, for 2016.

It was a very proud moment for all involved with the company, and recognition of all the hard work that has been put in over the last few years to ensure that we are providing the best possible service for our clients.

We have been recognised for pioneering the development of the safety net fall protection system that is now widely used on residential construction projects throughout not just the Auckland region, but indeed around the country, and winning such a prestigious and well respected award is recognition of the market leading position that we have established with regard to the development of innovative, safe and practical safety net fall arrest solutions.

An Innovative New Walk-On Safety Net System

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 22:03:00 GMT

WHAT ARE WALK-ON NETS?

Having recently completed a new walkable net system suspended under a bridge in Wellington, we are proud to deliver the first of its kind in New Zealand, providing fall protection and access as a walk-on work platform.

Walk On Nets are also known as tensioned access platforms or work platform nets, and are increasingly becoming recognised as a safe and superior alternative form of access over traditional solutions such as scaffolding for certain tasks and where MEWP access is unavailable.

Walk On Nets provide a walk-able work surface that is a cost effective alternative in comparison to scaffolding systems. They are lightweight low-impact, can be installed under deck areas, bridges, tanks and almost any large structure or span. They can also be used in conjunction with rope access and any other fall arrest setup to ensure total worker safety and job site efficiency.

The Walk On Net system is specifically designed and engineered for a project with the task to be carried out taken into consideration, the system is designed in such a way as to reduce any sag to an acceptable level when in use. Systems are normally installed with a fall arrest safety net and debris containment membrane beneath, this has the dual benefit of encapsulating the workspace allowing works to continue below and disguising the feeling of exposure for users, the safety nets also offer collective protection to the users and allow unrestricted movement for the workforce by eliminating the need for running lines.

Benefits of Walk On Nets are:

Speed of installation over scaffolding
Substantially less equipment to transfer through occupied buildings
Reduced hours working at height
Clear area beneath for other trades to operate
Significant cost savings
Less obtrusive than a large scaffolding structure
Reduced carbon footprint

Read more about this type of Safety Net system

Westpac Business Awards Finalist

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 21:59:31 GMT

SAFETY NETS NZ LIMITED MAKES FINAL OF PRESTIGIOUS WESTPAC BUSINESS AWARDS, 2016

A few months ago Safety Nets NZ was nominated to submit an entry into the annual search to find the region’s best businesses, and at a ceremony in late July at Massey University in Albany, organised and hosted by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, in the face of very stiff competition, our confirmation as a finalist in the Excellence in Innovation category was confirmed.

We have been recognised for pioneering the development of the safety net fall protection system that is now widely used on residential construction projects throughout not just the Auckland region, but indeed around the country, and the selection as finalist is recognition of the market leading position that we have established with regard to the development of innovative, safe and practical safety net fall arrest solutions.

The regional winners are announced at a gala awards evening in late September, so fingers crossed...

Not all fall arrest protection systems are created equal!

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 21:47:35 GMT

A recent court case has highlighted yet again the importance of not only installing fall protection equipment, but also ensuring the right equipment is used.

CMP Construction Ltd was fined $30,000 and ordered to pay reparation of $10,000 in September 2015 after an employee of a sub-contractor fell from a height of five metres.

Mohammad Ouzoun suffered multiple fractures and significant head injuries after the fall, in August 2013, and suffers ongoing medical effects including headaches and amnesia.

Mr Ouzoun was installing the supporting frame for the roof of a new retirement home in Albany when he stepped on a piece of timber that had yet to be fixed down, causing him to fall 5 metres onto the floor below. Fall protection equipment, including mobile scaffold, a scissor lifts and thirty “fall arrest” bean bags were available at the site, but was not being used.

CMP Construction was convicted in the North Shore District Court and sentenced under section18 and 50 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure Mr Ouzoun was not harmed at work. WorkSafe New Zealand Programme Manager Construction and Manufacturing Marcus Nalter said “CMP Construction should have ensured that the fall protection equipment that was provided was used”.

“CMP Construction had verbally advised Mr Ouzoun's employer that the scissor lift and bean bags should be used while work was being done on the upper area of the roof trusses” he says. “But it did not ensure that the sub-contractor's fall protection controls were properly documented or that the risk analysis for the task was reviewed, updated and followed”.

This highlights the difficulty of ensuring safe working practices when the reliance is placed on the builder to provide full protection.

Safety Nets NZ Ltd solves this potential problem by taking the onus off the builder. We take full responsibility for providing a suitable, and compliant, fall protection system. The builder does not need to be distracted from his everyday works by having to move fall bags around the site to suit localised work areas.

As Mr Nalter from Worksafe New Zealand went on to say, “Falls from height are one of the most common causes of serious injuries in construction and there is simply no excuse for construction companies not to ensure there is a proper plan in place to minimise the risk of falls”.

In our view, a “proper plan’ must involve the establishment of a compliant fall protection system that is certified as fit for purpose upon completion of installation. We at Safety Nets NZ Limited provide such a plan, leaving the builder free to concentrate on what he does best.

Thanks once again for your ongoing support

With best regards

Craig Daly
General Manager

craig@safetynetsnz.co.nz
021 782 583

Ordering App for Safety Nets NZ

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 21:43:04 GMT

The team at Safety Nets NZ is continually striving to improve overall quality of performance and level of service delivery, and we are always looking for ways to make life easier and improve efficiencies for our clients.

With this in mind, we have now developed an app for your smart phone that will enable you to simply place your orders with a few quick taps of the phone.

This new level of technology, which is unique to Safety Nets NZ, coupled with both our cloud based, real time job control management system and our GPS fleet tracking system will raise our performance level to even higher standards, and also save you valuable time in your day.

To down load the app onto your phone, simply follow the following steps.

Select your usual web browser on your phone.
Go to www safetynetsnz.co.nz
Under “Menu” select “Book Now”
An icon will drop down asking you to “Add to Home Screen”
Once added to your home screen, select the icon and simply complete the booking field, and press “send”
You will receive an email confirming that your order has been received and processed.

In line with our existing management systems, you will receive a phone call the day before the works are to be undertaken to confirm that everything is still on track.

Please note, that for the first 5 times you select the app icon on your phone, the drop down option to add the app to your home screen will be visible. Simply select the “ X” to clear the drop down icon instantly. This message will discontinue after you have used the app 5 times.

Please try the app as we are confident that it will make your life easier, and save you time in your busy day.If you have any problems with loading it , just call us at any time and we will sort out any issues over the phone.

Thanks once again for your ongoing support

With best regards,

Craig Daly
General Manager

craig@safetynetsnz.co.nz
021 782 583

Are fall bags really cheaper?

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 21:37:18 GMT

YOU MAY WELL HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY COMPANIES PROMOTING USE OF FALL ARREST BAGS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO SAFETY NETS AND OFFERING, WHAT APPEARS TO BE AT FIRST GLANCE, A CHEAPER INTERNAL SOFT FALL PROTECTION SOLUTION, BUT IS IT REALLY CHEAPER?

Consider the following additional “hidden” costs that they don’t tell you about:

Bags just dropped off to site. You have to relocate them into position – lost production time
You have to secure bags in position – lost production time
You have to ensure that bags are adequately inflated – lost production time
You have to move bags around to suit where you are working – lost production time
You cannot walk around freely in building whilst bags are in place – lost production time
You have to collect bags together and stack them ready for collection when you have finished with them – lost production time
By installing the bags, you take the risk for the system satisfying requirements of Health and Safety at Work Act/Worksafe NZ requirements – increased risk profile

By using Safety Nets NZ Limited as your preferred installer of internal soft fall protection systems, you are assured that we will do all the work for you. We supply, install, certify and handover and then remove nets upon completion of your works, all at times to suit your requirements.

You don’t have to do anything other than make a phone call/send a text. You don’t need to worry about anything, which leaves you free to do what you do best – build the house.

So next time you are approached with a “cheaper” alternative, just ask yourself...

”is it really cheaper ?”

“do I want to take on risk of establishing my own fall protection system?"

Until next time – take care

Craig J Daly

GENERAL MANAGER

With best regards.

Stop the Drops!

Thu, 30 Jul 2015 03:43:51 GMT

In a recent issue of Industrial Safety News, there was an interesting article that pointed out that is not just “people falls” that present a safety management challenge when it comes to working at height.

The article reported that a total of 275 people died as a result of a fall from height in the period 2003 – 2012 in Australia, around 11% of all fatalities, surprisingly however, an additional 227 people died in the same period as a consequence of being struck by a falling object, about 9% of total fatalities.

Aside from fatalities, drops and falls also represent a significant volume of general injuries suffered.

The question to consider is – are these instances preventable? The answer, in most instances , is undoubtedly – yes.

The cost of lost time in both health outcomes for workers and lost productivity time are obviously significant. In addition the cost of lost items themselves cannot be ignored.

There are various ways to contain dropped objects, and the team at Safety Nets NZ has developed a system whereby both the fall protection needs of workers undertaking works at height, together with protection of the workforce who might be required to work beneath them, are addressed. By using a combination of our fully certified personnel fall protection nets, overlain with purpose made debris netting, we can ensure that injuries as a result of falling/dropping objects are minimised.

So if you are concerned that your workforce might be at risk from dropped objects, speak to the team at Safety Nets NZ we will work with you to establish a protective system that will keep your guys safe.

Until next time – take care

Craig J Daly

GENERAL MANAGER

With best regards.

NZ Safety Show – Product V Service

Wed, 24 Jun 2015 03:39:10 GMT

As many of you will know, Safety Nets NZ had a stand at the recent NZ Safety Show at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland.

To those of you who came up to say hello, thank you very much for making the effort and catching up with us.

The NZ Safety Show gave us an opportunity to speak with lots of people , from all sectors of the construction industry, and we enjoyed having the opportunity to inform and educate regards the merits of the safety net fall arrest system.

It was very interesting to hear the comments received from people who were considering using a fall arrest system but , for a variety of reasons had to date not had the need to, with regards to alternative products and systems that are out there.

Over the course of the 3 days of the show, a constant theme developed regards the use of say air bags or even the more solid membrane type systems that are being offered in the market. Without exception, when the benefits of safety nets were explained, people identified several problems/disadvantages associated with the use of these other alternative systems:

The air bags get in the way
The bags just get dropped off at our site and we have to install them
We have to move the bags around the property to suit where we are working
We have to remove them when we don’t need them any more and stack them up ready for collection
It takes time for us to establish the bags in position
There is a hidden cost of our time associated with establishing the bags
It distracts us from what we want to be doing i.e. building
We have to install the membrane system, which takes time and adds cost
We can’t see through the membrane when it is installed
We can’t pass things through the membrane when it is installed
The membrane traps waste materials, rain water etc…
We have to cut out the membrane when no longer required and throw it away.
With both systems we are assuming responsibility for the integrity of the safety system employed

It reinforced to me that Safety Nets NZ are not simply offering a product, but a complete SERVICE .

We supply, install as required, certify and handover the system and then remove upon completion of your works. You don’t have to worry about anything as we take care of the whole process, leaving you free to continue with what you are good at, actually building .

At Safety Nets NZ we concentrate on providing the best, most cost effective and efficient SERVICE that we possibly can. Just leave it to us take all the hassle and risk out of satisfying legislative requirements regards the provision of fall through protection on your construction sites.

Until next time, take care

With best regards

Craig J Daly
craig@safetynetsnz.co.nz
021 782 583

Safety Nets News – Issue 1

Tue, 19 May 2015 03:32:14 GMT

WELCOME TO THE FIRST EDITION OF NETS BLOG, OUR PLACE FOR RAISING ISSUES, UPDATING ON WHAT THE TEAM AT SAFETY NETS NZ HAS BEEN UP TO RECENTLY AND GENERALLY DISCUSSING ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE WORLD OF HEALTH AND SAFETY, SOFT FALL PROTECTION GENERALLY AND SAFETY NETS IN PARTICULAR.

Perhaps the biggest issue for anyone in business at the moment is getting to grips with the new health and safety legislation that is planned to be rolled out this year, and in this first issue of NetBlog I want to just comment on the new Health and Safety Bill, and steps being taken by the SNNZ team to ensure we remain current and compliant with regards to the new legislation.

The new Bill has been developed by the independent task force on workplace health and safety, and the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine tragedy. Ultimately it will create the Health and Safety at Work Act which will replace the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.

The Bill comprises 6 parts which:

Outline the purpose, commencement, application and key principals of the Act.
Outline the duty framework of the new Act.
Creates duties which provide for better levels of participation of the work force in matters of health and safety.
Establishes an effective enforcement regime
Provides for effective sharing fo information, and requires development of a health and safety at work strategy.
Makes amendments to WorkSafe NZ Act 2013, and various other Acts.

The Act will introduce a new entity, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) and impress on the PCBU a primary duty to ensure, as far as reasonably practical, the health and safety of the PCBU's workers and other people associated with work carried out by the PCBU.

It imposes a positive due diligence duty on officers of PCBU's to ensure that the PCBU complies with its health and safety obligations.

Some key questions to be considered...

WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK UNDER THE NEW LAW?

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) is to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others affected by the work. Moving to the PCBU concept ensures that the duties lie with those people in the best position to control risks to health and safety at work, and that those duties are appropriate to their role at work.

HOW WILL THE PCBU APPROACH WORK IN PRACTICE?

PCBU's will have the duty to engage with workers and to have participation practices regarding health and safety matters.

There is also duty owed to other people affected by the work being done. Specific duties extend to upstream participants in the supply chain (e.g PCBU's that are designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers of plant, substances, and structures that will be used in a workplace).
The duties of a PCBU are all associated with the carrying out of work. The definition of a "workplace" is a place where work is carried out for a business or undertaking and includes any place where a worker goes, or is likely to be, while at work. The definition of a 'worker' is a person who carries out work in any capacity for a person conducting a business or undertaking.

WHAT WILL DIRECTORS' DUTIES BE UNDER THE NEW LAW

The proposed law will create a due diligence duty so that those in governance roles must proactively manage workplace health and safety. Directors and other officers of a PCBU will be required to exercise due diligence to ensure that the PCBU complies with its duties. A due diligence duty supports the new regime, because officers set the direction and provide leadership in health and safety for their organisation, including making resource decisions.

The due diligence duty will be individual to the officer. If the officer exercises due diligence, they are not liable regardless of the conduct of the PCBU or other officers.

The due diligence duty will be defined to match the governance role of the officers. It will include, for example, a requirement that the officer take reasonable steps to:

gain an understanding of the nature of the operations of the PCBU and generally the hazards and risks associated with those operations, and
ensure the PCBU has, and implements, processes for complying with its duties.

Failure to comply with a due diligence duty could result in prosecution and a fine, the maximum level of which would be determined by whether or not the officer's failure exposed a person to a risk of death or serious injury or illness. An officer would only face a term of imprisonment if he or she was also proven to have been reckless as to the risk- which means that there must be proof that the officer had foreseen dangerous consequences that could well happen, together with and intention to continue the course of conduct regardless.

WHAT WILL THE PENALTIES BE UNDER THE NEW REGIME?

There will be a new tiered liability regime and overall, a significant increase in the maximum penalty levels over the current law to sanction and deter duty holders from breaching their workplace health and safety duties. The use of graduated categories of offences and penalties will provide better guidance to the Court about appropriate fine levels.

The Australian tiered model which will be used as a basis of the new offences and penalty regime is as follows.

Category 1 Reckless conduct applies to a person who has a health and safety duty and, without reasonable excuse, engages in conduct that exposes and individual to a risk of death or serious injury or illness, and is reckless as to the risk. The maximum penalty for an individual PCBU officer is $600,000 (or $300,000 for an individual who is a worker or other person} or five years imprisonment, or both, and for a body corporate is $3 million.

Category 2 Failure exposing to serious risk: applies to a person who fails to comply with their health and safety duty, and the failure exposes an individual to a risk of death or serious injury or illness. The maximum fine for an individual PCBU or officer is $300,000 (or $150,000 for an individual who is a worker or other person) and for a body corporate is $1,500,000.

Category 3 Failure: applies to a person who fails to comply with their health and safety duty. Maximum fine for an individual PCBU or officer is $100,000 ( or $50,000 for an individual who is a worker or other person) and for a body corporate is $500,000

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES FOR WORKER PARTICIPATION?

The proposals will strengthen the legal framework for worker participation. This will not be overly onerous - it is about what is appropriate for size of the firm and level of risk. The worker participation part of the Bill will include a general duty to involve and engage with workers on health and safety matters. All duty holder will be required to have worker participation practices appropriate to the workplace.

So in summary, the new Act will generally require all persons in a position of responsibility to step up and take ownership of all issues relating to health and safety.

At Safety Nets NZ Limited we have been proactive in embracing the requirements of the new Act, and have already committed to the positive due diligence duty required of officers of PCBU's with our regime of:

regular tool box talks
upskilling of workers
continuing improvement development of jobs control systems.
presentations to all clients teams to reinforce key safety element of netting systems.
establishment and leadership of the recently incorporated society , Fall Arrest Safety Nets Association (FASNA).

To discuss this topic with Safety Nets NZ or to find out more about us:

Contact Craig Daly
craig@safetynetsnz.co.nz
021 782 583